Southern Alumni Magazine Spring 2010

A magazine for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University, Spring 2010 issue

SMagCovSprFIN10_MagazineCover 3/23/10 10:46 AM Page 2
ALUMNI MAGAZINE | Spring | 10
a publication for alumni and friends of Southern Connecticut State University
Owl Spirit!
Featured inside: Touching Lives
2009 CHARITABLE GIVING REPORT
LET TER
SMagCovSprFIN10_MagazineCover 3/23/10 10:46 AM Page 3
FROM
THE
President
Dear Southern Alumni,
One of the things that I have always admired about
Southern is its vital role as a community resource. I was
reminded of this fact again recently when I hosted a reception
to mark the establishment of our new Center on Autism
Spectrum Disorders. State and national statistics have shown a
rise in the incidence of children with autism during the last two
decades and Southern has become a key player in teaching and
research efforts regarding this developmental disorder. Our
Special Education Department includes a Master of Science
program with a specialization in autism spectrum disorders
and other developmental disabilities. And in 2008, Gov. M. Jodi
Rell authorized the university to take a lead role in developing a
comprehensive statewide plan to better teach children with
autism and similar disorders.
example, a proposed doctoral degree in nursing education
would help offset the continuing critical shortage of nurses and
nurse educators in Connecticut. We are also seeking to expand
and revitalize our Center for Communication Disorders, which
currently provides more than 5,000 clinical hours of service per
year to the greater New Haven area. New clinic space would be
made available off-campus through the proposed West Rock
Community Revitalization Project, in which Southern is a
partner with the city of New Haven. Even as we face the
challenge of grappling with projected state budget deficits in
forthcoming fiscal years, initiatives such as these will help
ensure that Southern continues to serve as a true resource for
the regional community and the state.
I wish to end this letter on a personal note. As many of
you may know, I have decided to retire from the presidency of
Supported in part by a federal grant of $300,000, the
Southern, effective May 31, 2011. I hope to take up a year-long
new autism center at Southern will offer clinical services,
sabbatical leave on June 1, 2010, to engage in research on K-12
parental support, and training and technical assistance to
schools, while disseminating information on the latest research education reform, an area in which I have a strong personal
interest. It has truly been a privilege for me to serve as
developments in the field. And it will also be home to the
president for the last six years. The excellence of our faculty, the
university’s first endowed chair — or distinguished visiting
professorship — thanks to a wonderful gift of $1.2 million from professionalism of our staff, the vibrancy of our students, and
the deep-rooted allegiance of our alumni make this a
the estate of Dorothy Weisbauer Goodwin. Mrs. Goodwin, who
university to be proud of. I thank you all for your enthusiasm
died last year at the age of 91, earned her teaching certification
from then-New Haven State Teachers College in 1939 and went and generosity over many years and I know that, with your
on to train Southern student teachers in New Haven schools for support, Southern will continue to move forward and realize its
potential to become a premier institution of higher learning.
more than 30 years. Her gift — the largest ever received by the
university — will now benefit generations of students yet to
come, as part of it will also support scholarships for students in
the School of Education. You can read more about Mrs.
Goodwin, her passion for learning, and her wonderful legacy in
the Campus News section of this magazine.
The autism center is just one of several new
community initiatives that are in the formative stages. For
Dr. Cheryl J. Norton
President
Southern
ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Spring | 10
features
Once
Upon a
Homecoming
20
10
W
ith a festive fairytale theme,
Homecoming 2009 offered
something for everyone.
2009 Charitable Giving
Report: Touching Lives
Next Stop
Med School
18
Some 80 percent of Southern applicants
with strong recommendations have gained
acceptance into U.S. medical, dental, and
veterinary schools â&#x20AC;&#x201D; well above the national rate.
Learn more about how Southern is helping these
students achieve major success.
departments
They share a commitment to excellence â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and one
or more Southern degrees. Meet the recipients of the
2009 Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards.
From the President
inside
cover
Campus News
Nostalgia
37
2
24
26
Alumni Notes 30
Southern Events 36
Alumni News
Southern: Leading the way in graduate studies in health/life sciences,
education, and social/public services.
Campus
NEWS
n
President Norton to Step Down
realize its potential to become a premier institution of high-
President Cheryl J. Norton has announced that she
er learning.”
Norton is the 10th president of Southern and the
will retire as president of Southern Connecticut State
University, May 31, 2011. She has requested that the
first woman to lead the 117-year-old institution, which has
Connecticut State University Board of Trustees approve an
almost 12,000 students and one of the largest graduate
administrative sabbatical for her beginning June 1, 2010.
programs in New England. Prior to being named
This sabbatical leave would allow her to engage in research
Southern’s president, Norton was the provost at
on K-12 education reform, in
Metropolitan State College of
which she has a strong per-
Denver, the nation’s largest
sonal interest.
urban public baccalaureate
college.
“It has been a privilege
She holds two mas-
for me to be president of
ter’s degrees and a doctorate
Southern. The excellence of
our faculty, the professionalism
in applied physiology from
of our staff, and the vibrancy of
Columbia University and was
our students make this a uni-
named a Fellow of the
versity to be proud of,” Norton
American College of Sports
says. “I have learned much
Medicine for her contributions
from our campus community,
to the field. In Connecticut,
and I believe that together we
she was honored with a Lilly
have helped Southern make
Award for her achievements
in, and contributions to, high-
great strides as an institution.”
er education. Norton also
During Norton’s tenure,
which commenced April 30,
received the Connecticut
2004, a $260 million construc-
Woman in Leadership Award
tion program has revitalized
in 2008 from the Women and
the campus, full-time enroll-
Family Center and recently
was named a Woman of Note
ment has reached record levels, and innovative program-
President Cheryl J. Norton
by the New Haven Symphony
ming has been introduced to support student achievement
for her “steadfast vision, exceptional contribution, and
in and out of the classroom.
enduring commitment to our community.” Norton also
Norton has also focused on campuswide “greening”
serves on the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Council.
and sustainability initiatives, and was a signatory to the
Commitment. In addition, she has worked to position
Center to Address Needs
of Students with Autism
Southern as a community resource for the region and the
A generous donation and a fed-
American College & University Presidents’ Climate
state through initiatives such as the university’s new Center
n
eral allocation have given the newly cre-
on Autism Spectrum Disorders, which was established to
ated Center on Autism Spectrum
improve the educational experiences of children diagnosed
Disorders a significant boost as it begins
with a form of autism.
“Soon after I arrived on campus in 2004, I said that
this university was ‘strong in its roots and rich in its history,
its mission to improve the educational
experience for children with the devel-
Dorothy Goodwin, ‘39
opmental disorder. The center was
with unlimited potential for the future,’” Norton says. “I
launched in February with a celebration held in the Michael
know that Southern will continue to move forward and
J. Adanti Student Center Grand Ballroom.
2 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
cial education
and reading. “I
am delighted
that we will have
an even greater
opportunity to
Southern
| ALUMNI MAGAZINE
| VOL 8 • NO 2
help these chilAmong those celebrating the opening of the Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders
were members of the campus community and family and friends of donor Dorothy
Goodwin, ’39, including [FROM LEFT] Cathy Potter, Provost and Vice President of Academic
Affairs Selase Williams, and Rosalie Rowland.
She died on Feb. 9, 2009
center, along with James
at the age of 91.
Granfield, senior advisor to
Provost Selase W. Williams.
by a federal grant of
Granfield formerly served
$300,000, the center will
as interim dean of the
take a three-pronged
School of Education for
approach to address the
many years.
“The creation of the
dren and youths with an
center is really the culmina-
autism spectrum disorder:
tion of several years of
training current and future
effort with regard to
educators and professional
improving the education of
staff; conducting research
children with autism,”
designed to benefit stu-
Granfield says.
$1 million from the estate
dents with autism; and
of Southern alumna
providing direct services,
player in teaching and
Dorothy Goodwin, ‘39 —
including evaluating chil-
research efforts related to
part of a $1.2 million total
dren, conducting clinics,
this developmental disor-
donation to the university
and holding special events.
der. The Department of
— will fund the recruitment
Autism has become
Southern is a key
of a distinguished scholar
a Master of Science degree
for the center — Southern’s
developmental disabilities
program with a specializa-
first endowed chair. The
in the country; studies
tion in autism spectrum
distinguished scholar will
show that 1 in 100 children
disorders and other devel-
spend more than 50 per-
have been diagnosed with
opmental disabilities. In
cent of their time conduct-
some form of the disorder.
2008, Gov. M. Jodi Rell
Goodwin, a teacher
“We are ecstatic
about the creation of the
STAFF
Patrick Dilger, Director of Public Affairs
Villia Struyk, Editor
Michael Kobylanski, Sports Editor
Marylou Conley, ’83, Art Director
Isabel Chenoweth, Photographer
Thomas Cain, Assistant Photographer
Nancy Ronne, Development Editor
Charlie Davison, Alumni Notes Editor
ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICE
Michelle R. Johnston, Director of
Alumni Relations
(203) 392-6500
EDITORIAL OFFICE
Southern Connecticut State University
Office of Public Affairs/
Southern Alumni Magazine
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515-1355
Telephone (203) 392-6591; fax (203) 392-6597
E-mail address: struykv1@SouthernCT.edu
University Web site: www.SouthernCT.edu
Printed by The Lane Press, Inc.
Special Education includes
one of the fastest-growing
ing autism research.
Dr. Cheryl J. Norton, President
Megan A. Rock, Vice President for
Institutional Advancement
Eren
serves as co-director of the
educational needs of chil-
An endowed gift of
families.”
ting classroom experience.
Supported in part
Ruth Eren, associate professor of
special education and reading,
is co-director of the center,
along with James Granfield,
senior advisor to the provost.
dren and their
authorized Southern to
take a lead role in develop-
for more than 30 years in
center, which will enhance
ing a comprehensive
the New Haven School
our ability to improve the
statewide plan to better
District, helped train many
education of children with
educate children with
of Southern’s student
autism,” says Ruth Eren,
autism and other develop-
teachers as they were get-
associate professor of spe-
mental disorders.
Southern Alumni Magazine is published by the
university in cooperation with the SCSU Alumni
Association three times a year and distributed free of
charge to alumni and friends of the university.
Opinions expressed in Southern Alumni Magazine do
not necessarily reflect those of the
university or of the SCSU Alumni
Association. Although the editors
have made every reasonable effort
to be factually accurate, no
responsibility is assumed for errors.
Postage paid at Burlington, Vt.
Southern Connecticut State University, in compliance
with federal laws and regulations, does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation,
or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices,
or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to,
admissions, employment, financial aid, and
educational services.
Spring 2010 | 3
Campus
NEWS
n
Stopping Violence
quently diminishes the capacity of its victims to achieve
Southern is taking the lead role in a new statewide
their potential and dreams.”
In addition to Southern, the CCCEV includes the
coalition made up of nine universities and several state
agencies committed to the prevention of violence against
three other Connecticut State University System campuses
women. The initiative, called the Connecticut Campus
(Central, Eastern, and Western Connecticut State universi-
Coalition to End Violence Against Women (CCCEV), is
ties), the University of Connecticut, Quinnipiac University,
being funded by a three-year, $500,000 grant from the U.S.
University of Bridgeport, University of Hartford, and Trinity
Department of Justice.
College. It also includes Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis
Services Inc. and the Connecticut Police Academy’s Police
Officers Standards and Training Council Post.
n
$100,000 Grant Builds Ties with Vietnam
History Professor C. Michele Thompson always asks
new students for the first word that comes to mind when
they think about Vietnam. Typically, her classes answer the
same way. “I say ‘Vietnam’ and they say ‘War’,” says
Thompson, who teaches several courses on Vietnam-related topics.
Ronald D. Herron, vice president for student and university affairs, and Catherine A.
Christy, coordinator of Southern’s Women’s Center, are optimistic that a recently
awarded federal grant geared toward the prevention of violence against women
will have a significant impact on Southern and eight other college campuses across
the state. Southern is the lead agency in a new 11-member consortium called the
Connecticut Campus Coalition to End Violence Against Women.
The institutions of higher learning have joined
forces in an effort to reduce the incidence of domestic
Professor C. Michele Thompson
violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking on
their campuses. The federal funding will be used to
enhance sexual assault awareness and prevention pro-
ty to experience today’s Vietnam — one that is a far cry
grams, provide training for staff, create a unified network
from the war-torn jungle depicted in movies and media
of support for victims of violence, and bolster efforts to
images from the 1970s — thanks to a $99,900 grant from
hold perpetrators accountable through school discipline
the U.S. State Department, that will help launch a study
and criminal prosecution.
abroad program in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). The
“Tragically, violence against women poses serious
grant paves the way for a pilot program to begin next sum-
threats to the health and safety of college and university
mer that would send faculty and two Southern students to
communities across the nation,” says Ronald D. Herron,
Dai Hoc Su Pham/University of Pedagogy, which specializes
vice president for student and university affairs.
“In fact, the national data shows that 32 percent of
all college students report some form of dating violence
and/or abuse with previous partners,” Herron says. “It fre4|
But Southern students soon will have an opportuni-
Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
in teacher training. This would be Southern’s first direct
exchange program in Asia.
The students, who will receive course credit, are
expected to spend the summer studying Vietnamese, con-
ducting research with faculty, and working closely with
Education, the most recent installment of a five-year grant.
Vietnamese students who are learning to teach English. Plans
The TAT program prepares educators in the best practices for
call for two more students to travel with faculty members
teaching students who are not native English speakers.
in spring 2011 and three more to go the following summer.
Lorrie Verplaetse, professor of TESOL (Teachers of English
“Vietnam plays a role in American cultural consciousness, and this is an opportunity to force us to think
about [that nation] in new ways,” says Ilene Crawford,
associate pro-
wrote the grant proposal.
• The Nursing Department has been awarded a
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant of $100,000 to
fessor of
fund scholarships for students in the Accelerated Career
English, who is
Entry (ACE) nursing program.
heading up the
• Richard Cole, president and chief executive officer
program with
of the Connecticut Academy for Education, commended
Professor
Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Adam
Thompson and
Goldberg for his key role in developing the state
Marianne
Department of Education’s Algebra I Model Curriculum. It is
Kennedy, asso-
anticipated that this model curriculum will be adopted by
ciate vice presi-
the state and used extensively to improve the quality of
dent for assess-
math education.
ment, planning,
Associate Professor Ilene Crawford
to Speakers of Other Languages) and bilingual education,
• A $25,000 grant from the Boston Public Health
and academic
Commission’s Center for Health Equity and Social Justice
programs.
will support Professor of Public Health Peggy Gallup’s
community outreach efforts. Gallup is working with the city
of Bridgeport toward the development and implementation
of comprehensive health strategies that would eliminate
racial and ethnic health disparities.
• Southern received $221,500 from the state
Department of Higher Education (DHE) to continue the
GEAR UP Program, through which the university partners
with the DHE and New Haven Public Schools to help prepare city students for a successful college experience. The
program is overseen by James Barber, ’64, M.S. ’79, director of student supportive services and Southern’s GEAR
Class is in session.
UP coordinator.
• For 24-consecutive years, the National Institutes of
n
Grants Forward Southern’s Mission
Health has supported Psychology Professor James
The accompanying Campus News stories highlight
Mazur’s research project, “Molecular Variables Affecting
two major initiatives — a coalition to prevent violence against
Choice Behaviors.” Mazur’s work allows students to partici-
women and a pilot study-abroad program in Vietnam —
pate in laboratory research and develop an understanding
both of which were made possible by leadership-level
of animal care and requirements. The most recent $78,490
grants. The Southern community received numerous other
award will continue the research through September 2010.
highly competitive grants and honors this fall, some of which
are highlighted here.
• Southern’s Training for all Teachers (TAT) program
has received $300,000 from the U.S. Department of
• Faculty member Lisa Stout (biology), is the recipient of a three-year National Science Foundation subcontract through Yale. Her work, which will support the project,
continues
Spring 2010 | 5
Campus
NEWS
“Thermometric Properties
among the courses being
of DNA: Applications to the
offered as part of a new
Deep-sea Biosphere,” will
forensic science minor that
involve students at
was launched at Southern
Southern and Yale.
in the fall. The 18-credit
interdisciplinary minor —
The Lovely
Bones
Anthropology, Biology,
“Crime Scene
Chemistry, Psychology, and
Valerie Andrushko, a
Investigation,” “Crime
Sociology Departments —
noted expert in bioar-
Science Chemistry,” and
is coordinated by Assistant
chaeology, the study
“Forensic Biology,” are
Professor of Anthropology
of skeletal remains
n
jointly sponsored by the
Assistant Professor Valerie
Andrushko [ABOVE, SECOND FROM
RIGHT] and members of her class
study human bones with a goal
of determining the age of the
remains.
s
incere thanks to the many alumni and friends who helped
Southern exceed its fundraising goals for the 2009 fiscal
from archeological sites.
year. Despite the challenges of the sluggish economy,
the university raised close to
$1.84
Andrushko brings
million
in cash support and new commitments — surpassing
extensive experience to the
a goal of $1.6 million.
position. Her scholarly work
ranges from investigating
A
lumni giving increased
35%
during
the skeletal remains of the
the last five years — a tangible sign that
Incas in Peru to researching
Southern graduates place great value on
human “trophy-taking” in
their Southern education.
early Native American tribes
in central California. Closer
A
total of
7,366
full-time undergraduate
to home, she also has been
students were enrolled at Southern this fall — an all-time
tapped by Nick Bellantoni,
record. Full-time undergraduate enrollment has increased
the state archeologist, to
in 10 out of the past 11 years.
conduct special projects to
analyze human remains.
E
nrollment of all full-time students — including
T 79.7%
those enrolled in undergraduate and
designed both for students
graduate programs — rose to
interested in pursuing a
8,346
career in the forensic sci-
— an all-time record.
he retention rate for first-year to second-year students was
6 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
The program is
— the highest in 18 years.
ences and for those who
want to pursue other
careers, but are interested
in the field.
Associate Professor of Special Education and Reading
Jule McCombes-Tolis serves as director of The Literacy Lab at Southern
Where you’ll find her: The
newly renovated Literacy
Lab, located in Davis Hall,
Room 208
The Mission: Each year, the
lab provides pro-bono,
faculty-supervised clinical
diagnostic and tutorial
services for about 100
students. Most are in
grades 1 to 8, although
some younger and older
students are served.
How they help: Education
students provide tutoring
and screening services,
while diagnostic services
are conducted by a team of
students and university
faculty. Diagnostic services
range from comprehensive
literacy screenings to
evaluations for reading
disabilities, such as dyslexia.
Family Focus: “We not only
have a place for students to
be tested and tutored, but
we also have a comfortable
place for parents to hang
out with a library of
materials related to literacy
and reading,” says
McCombes-Tolis.
Getting Help: Schools often
refer families to the Literacy
Lab for testing and/or
tutoring, but parents can
apply for services without a
school referral. Contact
Rosa Clough at
CloughR1@SouthernCt.edu
or (203) 392-6400 for an
application.
Learn More:
www.SouthernCT.edu/
education/literacylab
newsletter/
Spring 2010 | 7
Campus
NEWS
n
Faculty Honors
n
• Joseph Solodow, professor of world
Educational Coach Program Launched
Meeting the needs
approved by the
languages and literatures, was named a
of a classroom of students
Connecticut Department of
Connecticut State University (CSU) Professor. An
with different abilities can
Higher Education, is the
internationally recognized scholar in the areas of
be challenging for a
first of its kind in the state.
classics and classical philosophy, Solodow is
teacher. With special edu-
the author of four books. The most recent,
cation students generally
include: coaching and col-
“Latin Alive: The Survival of Latin in English and
being taught in the same
laborating with teachers,
the Romance Languages,” was published in
classroom as other stu-
administrators, and other
Topics covered will
January by Cambridge University Press.
Professor Joseph Solodow
The title of Connecticut State University
Professor recognizes outstanding merit among
the teaching faculty in the CSU System, which in
addition to Southern, includes Eastern, Central,
and Western Connecticut State universities.
• Professor of English Paul Petrie received
the 2009 Faculty Scholar Award in recognition
of his monograph, “Conscience and Purpose.
Fiction and Social Consciousness in Howells,
Jewett, Chesnutt, and Cather” (University of
Alabama Press). The work examines William
Professor Paul Petrie
Dean Howells’ call for literature as a vehicle for
[FROM LEFT] Associate Professor Christine J. Villani discusses the educational coaching program with Emilia Caturano, ’12, and Kristin Serowik, ‘05.
social change — and the influence on the
works of three influential American authors.
• Associate Professor of Psychology Kristine
Anthis received the Connecticut State University
System (CSUS) Trustees Teaching Award in recognition of her role as an educational innovator for
successfully incorporated technology-assisted
instruction into the classroom. Her research
Associate Professor
Kristine Anthis
focuses on how identity develops. The CSU
Trustees Teaching Award is presented annually
to a faculty member at each of universities in
the CSU System.
dents, the task can be par-
service providers; diversifi-
ticularly daunting for teach-
cation of instruction and
ers who are not certified in
assessment to address the
both special education and
educational needs of all
regular education.
students; classroom man-
A new “Educational
Coach” 6th-year diploma
program is being offered
agement; and understanding classroom law.
Christine Villani,
at Southern, with a goal of
associate professor of edu-
providing teachers with the
cation and Ronald Tamura,
resources needed to best
assistant professor of spe-
• Professor of History C. Michele Thompson
support all groups of stu-
cial education, are coordi-
is the recipient of the Connecticut State
dents. The graduate pro-
nators of the program.
University System (CSUS) Trustees Research
gram, which was recently
Award for her significant contributions to the
advancement of scholarship on the history of
Vietnam and the history of medicine in East Asia.
Professor C. Michele
Thompson
8 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
n
Correction
A professor included in the Week in the Life feature
The award is presented annually to a faculty
in the fall issue was incorrectly identified as Assistant
member at each of the four CSU System insti-
Professor Richard Feinn. The photograph actually is of
tutions of higher learning.
Adjunct Professor Frank Grosso. We apologize for the error.
Meet South
Student Athern’s
lete
sport shorts
Miguel Nesrala
basketball
Three individuals —
former Owl standout Kate
Lynch, ’08, former
Sophomore
women’s basketball coach
Member of the
Men’s Swimming
and Diving Team
(Freestyle/
Backstroke)
Joe Frager, and former
men’s basketball coach Art
Leary — along with the
2007 NCAA Division II
National Championship
women’s basketball squad,
were inducted into the
New England Basketball
Hall of Fame. The group
Recent Achievements: Earned numerous first-place
joins Archie Tracy, ’64, and
victories at the Northeast-10 Championship,
Kathleen Ann Kochiss, ’84,
including gold in the 100-yard freestyle. Took
who were selected this
first in the 50-yard freestyle at the Metropolitan
summer under the high
school player category.
football
The Owls finished
women’s volleyball
For the first time in
program history, the Owls
advanced to the Northeast-
Championships.
Hails From: Dominican Republic
Diving In: “I live on an island and we went to the
beach every other weekend. My dad got tired of
the regular season as
10 Conference tourna-
Northeast-10 Conference
ment, after finishing the
co-champions — marking
regular season with a 23-9
the second time in the last
overall win-lose record.
four years that the Owls
The Owls defeated top-
have earned at least part
seeded University of New
of the league title.
Haven in the Northeast-10
Pre-meet Ritual: Visualizes the perfect race — twice.
Southern shares the honor
Tournament quarterfinals.
In the Community: Volunteers with the team at
with Bentley and
Southern ultimately fell to
numerous community events, most recently, Relay
Merrimack.
UMass Lowell.
for Life.
my grandmother worrying about us, so he signed
us up for swim classes.”
Early Success: At the age of 11, Nesrala was ranked
among the top two swimmers in his age group in
the Dominican Republic.
Listening to: Lil’ Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z, and Aytm —
the latter is Nesrala’s roommate, whom he
describes as “an awesome rapper.”
The best part of Swimming: “Definitely competing.
I’m a very competitive person.”
ˇ
For more sports news, visit
www.SouthernCTOwls.com.
Spring 2010 | 9
They share a
commitment to
excellence —
and one or more
Southern degrees.
Introducing the
recipients of the
2009 Distinguished
and Outstanding
Alumni Awards.
By Joan Wells
10 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
ne is instrumental in bringing award-winning movies to the small screen, while
another is helping to craft public policy at the state level. Meet the talented recipients
of the 2009 Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Awards. In all, seven alumni were recognized at the event, which was held on Oct. 16 at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center.
The Distinguished Alumna Award, the highest honor bestowed on a Southern graduate by the university, was presented to Elizabeth Missan Yost, ’85, vice president of
development for the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel.
In addition, six alumni — one graduate from each of the university’s six schools —
were presented with Outstanding Alumnus/a Awards. The honorees included the
Honorable Mary M. Mushinsky, ’73, who is serving her fifteenth term as a member
of the Connecticut House of Representatives (School of Arts and Sciences); Michael R.
Chambrello, ’79, president and chief operating officer of Scientific Games Corporation, a
provider to the international lottery and gaming markets (School of Business); Dr. Marc
A. Nivet, ’92, who at press time was slated to join the Association of American Colleges as
the chief diversity officer (School of Communication, Information, and Library Science);
Maureen G. Linderfelt, M.S. ’68, 6th Yr. ’77, who recently retired from the position of
executive director of the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Southern Connecticut, where
she continues to take an active role, (School of Education); Dr. Kathleen A.
Bonvicini, ’83, the chief executive officer for the Institute for Healthcare Communication
(School of Health and Human Services); and Dr. Beverly Levett Gerber, ’62,
6th Yr. ’71, professor emeritus of special education at Southern (School of Graduate Studies).
Distinguished Alumna
6
Elizabeth Missan Yost, ’85
&A
s an aspiring college student, Elizabeth Yost had her heart set
on attending an extremely large university. Instead, she chose
Southern on her father’s advice that a smaller, more personal setting
would suit her better.
“My parents are very smart people,” concludes Yost, who
is “living her dream,” as the vice president of development for the
Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. Based in the
company’s Los Angeles office, Yost has made close to 150 movies
over 10 years, and oversees all scripting and casting of the network’s productions.
The determined communication major traveled to
California immediately after graduation, launching her career at the
William Morris Agency. Other positions followed, including time at
Robert Greenwald Productions, a supplier of prime time television
films, and EMY Entertainment, an independent production company. In 2002, Yost joined Hallmark Channel as director of development, original programming — and was responsible for launching
the network’s first original series and Mystery Movie franchises.
While Yost attributes her success to a combination of
endurance, talent, and luck, she also places a high premium on the
experience she gained at Southern. “The personal attention really
made a difference,” says Yost, noting the university’s small class sizes
and opportunities to work closely with members of the faculty. “You
don’t get that at a bigger school,” she adds.
Yost has stayed in touch with Professor Joseph (Jos) Ullian,
and about 14 years ago they worked together to arrange a summer
internship that brought Southern students to Los Angeles to work on
scripts and casting. As her success and connections increased, Yost
expanded the program. In 2003, she teamed up with Southern’s
Department of Communication to offer a Hollywood internship program with the Hallmark Channel. According to Yost, the program is a
winning scenario for all involved. “The students who have come out
to work for us have been extraordinary,” she says.
Spring 2010 | 11
A Democrat from Wallingford, Conn., Mushinsky is the
“dean,” or longest-serving member, of the Connecticut House of
Representatives, having spent 28 years shaping public policy. Elected
to her fifteenth term in November 2008, she was appointed chairwoman of the Program Review and Investigation Committee, focusing on policy and recommendations for improving state responses
to community problems. Previously, she served ten years as cochairwoman of the Select Committee on Children and has received
numerous awards in acknowledgment of her efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy and reduce child poverty.
The environment is another primary focus for Mushinsky,
who majored in biology at Southern. Having chaired the legislature’s Environment Committee for six years, she played a key role in
crafting major environmental legislation enacted in the 1980s and
1990s, including mandatory recycling, packaging reduction, openspace preservation, global warming mitigation, and endangered
species protection laws.
Furthering her commitment to the environment, Mushinsky
also serves as executive director of the Quinnipiac River Watershed
Association, uniting community volunteers with scientists to
improve conditions in the river. The group’s contributions are
numerous and varied: helping businesses reduce runoff, growing
beetles to control invasive plants, and even forming a bucket brigade
to help migrating fish swim over a dam in Wallingford, Conn.
“Southern provided good training for the real world,” she
says. “The professors were always
behind their students, encouraging
hether working on legislathem to use what they learned for the
tion designed to prevent
good of society.”
adolescent pregnancy or helping a
Attending Southern is a family
migrating fish over a dam, State
tradition.
Rep. Mushinsky’s father,
Representative Mary Mushinsky
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
Edward Mushinsky, earned a degree in
often applies lessons she learned
education in 1957 and one of her sons,
while attending Southern nearly
Martin Waters, is a Southern student. (Her other son, Ed, is a graphic
40 years ago.
art student at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.) Mushinsky also has passed
“I received the technical training, motivation, encouragement,
on her commitment to the environment. She proudly notes that both
and preparation that — when combined — prepared me to go out
of her sons bicycle and take public transportation rather than own cars.
and solve problems,” says Mushinsky.
&W
12 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Outstanding Alumna
6
Mary M. Mushinsky, ’73
&I
n an industry where luck is a key factor, Michael R. Chambrello
has risen to the top courtesy of a combination of experience, talent, and hard work. In January 2010, Chambrello became chief
executive officer of Scientific Games Corporation, a provider to the
lottery, pari-mutuel racing, and gaming industries, and a leading
supplier of prepaid phone cards to telecommunication companies.
He also serves as president of the company. With annual revenue
approaching $1 billion and a worldwide staff of 5,500 people,
Scientific Games has a global presence with clients in some 43
states and more than 50 countries.
Clearly Chambrello is a major player in the business arena.
Yet he says that when he entered Southern as a freshman he was “as
directionless as anyone can be” and “average in every way” — not a
likely early profile for a man who would become an industry leader.
Enter Southern, where in his sophomore year, Chambrello reached a
crossroads. One of his professors, Kun Suryatmodjo, saw potential
in the young student and gave Chambrello a challenge: “be average
or get smarter” through hard work.
The kid from Plainfield, Conn., chose the latter: by junior
year he was a teaching assistant; by graduation he had brought his
grade point average up a full point. Chambrello would later establish an endowed scholarship at Southern in Dr. Suryatmodjo’s
honor, benefiting students who were majoring in economics.
“Southern gave me a real-world foundation and helped me
to realize that even though I didn’t have the same pedigree [as executives who attended Ivy League
schools], I could do as well or better,” says Chambrello. He later
attended graduate school at
American University’s Kogod
College of Business.
SCHOOL OF
Chambrello joined Scientific
Games in July 2005 as president and
chief operating officer, drawing on a wealth of executive experience.
Prior to joining the company, he was president and chief executive
officer of Environmental Systems Products Holdings, Inc., a leader in
emissions testing systems and services. He also served as chief executive officer of Transmedia Asia Pacific, Inc. and Transmedia Europe
Inc., which provide membership and affinity programs.
Outstanding Alumnus
6
Previously, he was president
of GTECH Corporation and executive
vice president of GTECH Holdings
Corp., a full-service provider to the
lottery and entertainment industries.
BUSINESS
Chambrello had joined the company
in 1982 as a project analyst and
steadily climbed the corporate ladder. In his almost 20 years at
GTECH, company revenue grew from $1 million to nearly $1 billion.
Being honored by Southern is “really great for me,” says
Chambrello, who serves on the SCSU Foundation Board of
Directors. “There are so many people like me, average in so many
ways, who got an extra push at Southern and found their direction.”
Michael R. Chambrello, ’79
Spring 2010 | 13
will include leading the association’s Diversity Policy and Programs
Department, with a goal of increasing diversity in medical education and advancing health care equality.
Nivet will come to the AAMC having served as the chief
operating officer and treasurer for the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation in
New York City, where he oversees the day-to-day operations of the
organization and manages an endowment of $150 million. The
foundation supports programs designed to improve the education
of health professionals. Nivet concurrently is special assistant to the
senior vice president of health at New York University, where he
serves on the faculty of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of
Public Service. He also teaches at Hofstra University.
Nivet says one of the benefits of attending Southern is the
diversity of the surrounding community. He firmly believes that no
institution can call itself “excellent” without being diverse. Among his
priorities are diversifying academic medicine, eliminating racial disparities in health and the health professions, and promoting best practices for increasing minority enrollment in health professional schools.
His career has been marked by a commitment to education.
In addition to earning his undergraduate degree in communication
studies from Southern, he has a Master’s of Science in higher education/student development from Long Island University, C.W. Post,
and a Doctorate of Education in higher education management
from the University Of Pennsylvania.
A fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, he is a past
president of the National Association
arc A. Nivet was thinking
of Medical Minority Educators,Inc.,
like a hopeful teenaged
which presented him with its
athlete when he chose to attend
Outstanding Service Award in 2006.
Southern: he had been recruited
With all those accomplishto play football and run track. But
ments,
Nivet
says it still “feels great” to
when he realized after two years
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION ,
INFORMATION , AND LIBRARY SCIENCE
be honored by his alma mater. “To this
that a career as a professional athday, one of the most meaningful expelete probably wasn’t in the cards,
riences in my life was my junior year at
he found his real calling.
Southern,
when
I
was
offered
and
accepted the opportunity to serve
Nivet focused on academics, became vice president of
as a mentor and advisor for incoming freshmen in the Student Equal
Southern’s Black Student Union, and began reaching out to inner-city
Opportunity Program,” says Nivet, who serves on the SCSU
kids in the New Haven community. Those opportunities would set his
Foundation Board of Directors. He continues, “That experience, coudestiny.“That became my mission — to help others achieve,” says Nivet.
pled with volunteer teaching experiences in the New Haven Public
He has continued that mission throughout his career. This
School System, served to illuminate the need to give back and take
spring Nivet is slated to join the Association of American Medical
joy in helping others.”
Colleges (AAMC) as the chief diversity officer. His responsibilities
&M
Outstanding Alumnus
6
Dr. Marc A. Nivet, ’92
14 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
&M
aureen Glennon Linderfelt is a firm believer in the power of
opportunity: “I think it’s about focusing on what people can
do, not what they can’t do,” says Linderfelt, who has spent her entire
career as an advocate for individuals with disabilities.
For 19 years, Linderfelt served as executive director of
the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Southern Connecticut Inc.,
in Wallingford, Conn. She “retired” in 2008, but has remained with
the organization as a housing consultant to continue work on a
project that is close to her heart: creating 30 units of handicappedaccessible, scattered housing in Fairfield and New Haven counties.
The project builds on Linderfelt’s demonstrated
strengths. She was the driving force behind the conversion of a 90year-old school in Fairfield County into universally designed oneand two-bedroom apartments made to be both totally accessible
and affordable.
During a career spanning more than 40 years, Linderfelt has
worked as a teacher and in administrative positions serving those
with orthopedic challenges and/or developmental delays. Previously,
she held leadership roles with the State Department of Mental
Retardation (now called the Department of Developmental
Services); E.B. Kuhn Training Center in Meriden, Conn.; Varca Inc. in
Derby, Conn.; and the U.S. Census Bureau. She began her career as a
teacher-coordinator for the city of Bridgeport, Conn., where she
developed and administered a program that became the first fully
certified transitional workshop in the state for those with disabilities.
Linderfelt, who earned
both a master’s degree and sixth
year diploma in special education
from Southern, stresses the importance of experiential learning.
Long before vocational occupational programs were the norm,
SCHOOL OF
she had her special education students running a café and making
business cards by setting type.
She played to the strengths of each child, knowing they’d
learn more about math by making change and more about social
skills by interacting with the public. Best of all, if her students liked
the “work,” there was the built-in motivator to behave and learn.
Outstanding Alumna
6
Maureen G. Linderfelt, M.S. ’68,
6th Yr. ’77
EDUCATION
Her Vocational Occupational
Program for Exceptional Children
received national recognition; the
program was cutting-edge at a time
when special education wasn’t even
recognized as a formal department in
most schools.
“Southern gave me the tools to do all this and the interest
to go forward,” says Linderfelt. “The professors were forward thinking and looked at progressive methods. Southern was a perfect
choice for me.”
Spring 2010 | 15
“We like to say there are two tasks in medicine,” says
Bonvicini, who has written and spoken extensively to international
audiences on the importance of communication training in both
human and veterinary medicine. “One is technical, but there’s also
the relationship side and understanding how to communicate —
to truly listen to the human being in front of you.”
The organization’s influence is far reaching. Since 1989, the
IHC has collaborated with hundreds of organizations to train more
than 150,000 physicians.
In 2002, the institute developed a program for veterinarians, the Veterinary Communication Training Project. As director
of the project, Bonvicini designed and led a faculty training program that was implemented in schools of veterinary medicine
throughout the United States and Canada, and recently introduced
in Australia.
Previous to her work with the Institute, Bonvicini gained
15 years of psychiatric clinical research experience at the Yale
University Laboratory of Psychiatric Genetics, where she coordinated genetic family studies on anxiety disorder and alcohol and substance dependence.
In step with her current commitment to education, she
also held faculty positions with Southern’s Department of Public
Health and Albertus Magnus College for 12 years.
Her own foray to college was non-traditional. A working
parent, she transferred to Southern from the University of Arizona
ffective communication is the
at the age of 26. After receiving a
key to success in many
degree in social work from Southern,
endeavors, but in Kathleen A.
she went on to earn a master’s degree
Bonvicini’s business, it can be lifein public health from Yale University.
saving.
“Southern offered not only a
Bonvicini is chief execu- SCHOOL OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES good academic foundation, but a good
tive officer of the Institute for
sense of community and service,” says
Healthcare Communication
Bonvicini. “My three internships in
(IHC), a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the quality
social work at Southern opened my eyes to the needs of people and
of healthcare by helping physicians and veterinarians communicate
to what I wanted to do in my professional life.”
effectively with their clients.
&E
Outstanding Alumna
6
Dr. Kathleen A. Bonvicini, ’83
16 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
&B
everly Levett Gerber believes that art education and special
education have a shared strength. “Both look outside the box
for unconventional answers,” says Gerber, professor emeritus of special education.
A nationally recognized expert in how the subjects connect,
Gerber realized early in her teaching career that students with special needs can use art as a vehicle to learn other subjects, express
themselves emotionally, and show their level of ability.
She has devoted her career to sharing this knowledge with
others, serving for more than 40 years as an advocate of art for students with special needs and presenting on the topic at the state,
national, and international levels.
Her ties to Southern are extensive. In addition to earning
two Southern degrees — an undergraduate degree in art education
and a sixth year degree in special education — Gerber was a fulltime faculty member with the Special Education Department for 33
years, before retiring in 2003. She is currently an adjunct professor
at Southern.
As a Southern student, Gerber was most inspired by two
professors, Professor Emeritus of Education Walter E. Cheetham
and the late Professor Emeritus of Art David Crespi, both of whom
had a gift of empowering their students, she says.
“Walter [Cheetham] not only taught the information, but
made you understand that you truly can reach the children,” says
Gerber, who went on to earn a doctorate from Teachers College,
Columbia University. She was one
of only a handful of doctoral students who studied both special
member and past-president of the
education and art education.
National Art Education Association
With a goal of helping
(NAEA) Special Needs Issues Group
future teachers, Gerber established
and also created a special needs Web
the Dr. Beverly Levett Gerber
site to combine special education and
Fellowship at Southern to support
art education resources.
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
graduate students who combine
In acknowledgment of
special education with art in their studies.
Gerber’s many contributions, the Special Needs Issues Group and the
Gerber’s many contributions extend beyond the university.
NAEA worked with several other national organizations to establish
She co-edited the popular textbook “Reaching and Teaching Students
an award in her honor. The Beverly Levett Gerber Lifetime
with Special Needs through Art,” and the soon to be published
Achievement Award is given each year to an outstanding art educator
“Understanding Students with Autism through Art.” She is a founding
who works with special needs children. n
Outstanding Alumna
6
Dr. Beverly Levett Gerber, ’62,
6th Yr. ’71
Spring 2010 | 17
Some 80 percent of Southern applicants with strong recommendations
have gained acceptance into U.S. medical, dental, and veterinary
schools â&#x20AC;&#x201D; well above the national rate. Learn more
about how Southern is helping these students
achieve major success. By Natalie Missakian
18 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
l
Sc
ho
o
ed
M
St
op
N
ex
t
• Melissa Beckmann, ’04, loves
everything about her
job as a doctor at a Texas
military hospital — even the
weekly 30-hour shifts seem a small
price to pay for living a childhood dream.
Next year, she hopes to travel to Korea as an
Air Force flight doctor.
Neil Young, ’09, an aspiring ER doc
who beat out thousands for a spot at
Dartmouth Medical
School, spends his
days studying
human anatomy
and physiology
alongside Ivy
League-educated
peers.
Closer to
home, Titi Aina, ’04,
starts her mornings
promptly at 5 a.m.,
preparing for
rounds as a surgical
intern at the
University of
Connecticut Health Center. Her long-term
goal is to become an anesthesiologist.
These successful young alumni
share numerous traits. They’re smart, wellrounded, dedicated to their field — and all
are graduates of Southern’s small but thriving pre-med program.
“It’s a close-knit
faculty so it’s really
good that you get
to know all of the
professors on a
name basis.”
Byron Peck-Collier, ’10
Each year, a handful of talented, scienceminded undergraduates
sign on to work closely
with Southern’s PreMedical, Pre-Dental, and
Pre-Veterinary Committee,
a team of six faculty
members charged with
advising and supporting
students who want to
pursue health careers.
Those who don’t
achieve the necessary standards are often
counseled into further training or other
career options. But those with the right mix
of academic achievement, ambition, and
analytical skill have found tremendous success. Graduates have earned seats in such
diverse medical schools as Dartmouth,
Penn State, Boston University, Temple
University, New York Medical College, and
the University of California, San Francisco.
These are no small accomplishments in a field where, according to the
Association of American Medical Colleges
(AAMC), only four out of every 10 med
school hopefuls make the grade. The competition is fiercer at top schools like
Dartmouth, which enrolled only 84 of
5,294 applicants this year, according to the
school’s Web site.
“It’s very, very competitive. But we
have done a good job if students follow our
continues on page 35
[OPPOSITE PAGE] Helping students succeed is the charge of Southern’s Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, and Pre-Veterinary Committee, which includes [FROM LEFT]
Professor of Physics Christine Broadbridge, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Adiel Coca, Assistant Professor of Biology Jonathan Weinbaum,
Professor of Physics Karen Cummings, Professor of Biology Jane Feng, and Assoc. Professor of Chemistry Jiong D. Pang.
[THIS PAGE] Byron Peck-Collier, a member of the Class of 2010, hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon.
Spring 2010 | 19
With a festive
fairytale theme,
Homecoming 2009
offered something
for everyone.
Once
Upon a
hile the Southern Owl is a seasoned university ambassador,
it isn’t everyday that the spirited mascot hobnobs with
fairytale princesses. But on Oct. 17, Cinderella, Snow White,
and even Prince Charming — a.k.a. colorfully costumed
Southern students — joined the great winged one to
celebrate Homecoming 2009 and Family Day,
a combined event that had a fairytale theme.
20 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Homecoming
[OPPOSITE PAGE]
Southern students dress the part.
[THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT]
A Southern family smiles for the camera
during Family Day activities. • The parade
of floats is a favorite tradition. • President
Cheryl J. Norton introduces donor Anne
Bianchi Gundersen, ’34, who was honored
at the President’s Donor Recognition
Breakfast. • The Alliance Theatre of New
Haven performed “Cinderella” in the
children’s tent. Pictured is one of
Cinderella’s mouse helpers.
S
torybook royals aside, the true honored guests were the 600plus alumni, family, and friends who came to campus — one
of the highest Homecoming attendances on record. All were treated to a wide variety of activities, among them cherished traditions like the Robert Corda 5K Road Race, student parade of
floats, and the alumni tent party. Other events, including the dedication of the redesigned Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame and a
celebration of the 50th-anniversary of Southern’s swimming
program, gave the day even more poignancy. Further ensuring a
happy ending for Southern fans, the Owls soundly defeated Saint
Anselm College 71-14 in the Homecoming Football game.
The following pages spotlight some of the day’s many
festivities. Take a look and please plan to join us at Homecoming
2010 on October 16. Details will be coming soon.
continues
Spring 2010 | 21
22 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Homecoming 2009
[OPPOSITE PAGE] Guests enjoyed a
wide variety of activities, including
the dedication of the redesigned
Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame
[LOWER LEFT AND RIGHT].
[THIS PAGE] Owls reconnected with
family and friends before the
Homecoming football game [TOP
RIGHT]. Other events included a
celebration of the 50th anniversary
of Southernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swimming program
[RIGHT], and the Robert Corda 5k
Road Race [LOWER LEFT].
Spring 2010 | 23
Nostalgia
Nursing
Program
Celebrates
40-Year
Anniversary
By Joe Musante, ’86
outhern’s nursing program was
launched in the 1969-70 academic
year with two faculty members,
some 20 students, and a single classroom/makeshift lab buried in the
basement of Engleman Hall.
Though modest in scope, the program was a success from the onset. In
1973, the department reached two milestones — having its first group of 13 nursing students graduate and obtaining a full
eight-year accreditation from the National
League for Nursing. Progress continued
S
24 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
and in 1985, Southern launched its first
master’s degree program in nursing.
Today, Southern’s Nursing
Department is a popular, well-established
operation that plays a vital role in curbing
the state’s nursing shortage. For the last two
years, nursing/pre-nursing has been the
top major at Southern. In fall 2009, a total
of 844 undergraduates were declared as
either nursing or pre-nursing majors, the
second-highest number in university history — only slightly below a record-setting
873 students in fall 2008.
Associate Professor of Nursing Lisa
Rebeschi, department chairwoman, attributes the numbers to Southern’s growing
reputation, as well as job opportunities created because of the shortage.
“It’s a competitive process just to be
accepted into the program,” says Rebeschi,
noting that approvals usually take place just
before a student’s junior year. “These days,
about half of those who apply are accepted.”
Rebeschi also notes that Southern
consistently exceeds the 88 to 90 percent
statewide average of students who pass the
licensure examination.
She believes Southern’s success stems
from several factors, including an increase
in both faculty and classroom/ lab space as
a result of the opening of a new Nursing
Classroom Building in the fall of 2005.
“Our nursing program has been on
the cutting edge of innovation for some
time, offering on-line courses, an
Accelerated Career Entry (ACE) program
for individuals seeking to make a career
change to nursing, and a collaborative R.N.
to B.S.N. pathway with Gateway
Community College,” says Selase W.
Williams, provost and vice president for
academic affairs. Southern and Western
Connecticut State University also are in the
process of jointly developing an Ed.D. program in nursing.
The nursing program has received
numerous grants in support of its commitment to excellence, including a recent
$145,000 federal allocation — most of
which is being used for scholarships to
support students in the ACE program and
the nursing educator program at the graduate level. The department also was recently awarded a $100,000 grant from the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to fund
scholarships for students in the ACE nursing program. n
For more information, see
www.SouthernCt.edu/nursing/.
From past to present — a 40-year success story. [LOWER CIRCLE, FROM LEFT] Associate Professor Emeritus of Nursing Immaculate Alba and Associate
Professor of Nursing Lisa Rebeschi, pose with William Abbott, ’09, and Lettresha Turner, ’09, graduates of the Accelerated Career Entry program.
Spring 2010 | 25
Alumni
NEWS
n
Alumni Association Board Adds New Members
The Alumni Association Board of Directors welcomed seven new members, including five who were elected to serve
until 2013. In addition, James Booth, ’97, and Robert D. Parker, ’76, were appointed to the board to fill posts that were empty
due to resignations. They will serve until June 30, 2010.
• New board member James Booth,
In addition to earning her undergraduate degree at
’97, is a financial adviser with a fami-
Southern, she graduated summa cum laude with a
ly-run business based in Norwalk,
master’s degree in human performance. In 1991, she
Conn. A dedicated community vol-
became certified in school health and recently earned
unteer, he works with the Norwalk
an Ed.D. in adult education.
Jaycees and is active with his local
Catholic parish. Booth is an avid run-
• The recipient of the 2008 Alumni
ner and has completed numerous
Service Award, Jerry Katona, ’74,
marathons throughout the United
James Booth
M.S. ’88, has been reelected to serve
States, raising money to support the
on the board. A former athletics
American Diabetes Association.
trainer and past officer of the Owl
Varsity Club, which supports
Nancy Charest
• Nancy Charest, ’71, M.S. ’75, 6th
Southern’s student athletes, Katona
Yr. ’77, a veteran teacher with New
is a lifetime member of the
Haven Public Schools, holds three
Connecticut Scholastic and
degrees from Southern and is certi-
Collegiate Softball and Basketball
fied both as a reading consultant
Associations. Among his many achievements is coach-
and as a teacher of English
ing a Connecticut Classics Women’s Fast Pitch team to a
Language Learners (ELL). Highly
2001 national championship. Katona works for Area
regarded for her expertise in social-
Cooperative Educational Services (ACES) as an employ-
emotional intelligence, she has
ment supervisor.
Jerry Katona
worked with the Yale Child Study
Center and the George Lucas Foundation and has
• Newly elected board member Edwin Klinkhammer,
served as a consultant throughout the United States
’71, M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’92, combines a background in sci-
and in Sweden and the United Kingdom. A published
ence education with extensive experience in athletics. A
author, Charest previously served as the Executive Vice-
National Science Foundation Fellow, Klinkhammer
President of the New Haven Federation of Teachers.
retired from a position as a science educator with the
Department of Children and Families. Previously, he
• Marybeth Heyward Fede, ’79, M.S.
was a Police Academy Physical Training Coordinator, as
’87, has ties to Southern as a student
well as a personal security specialist and defensive tac-
and as a member of the faculty. An
tics instructor. Klinkhammer also worked as a fitness
assistant professor in the Exercise
sports trainer and consultant and had a 20-year career
Science Department since 1998, she
in professional minor league football, baseball, soccer,
supervises student teachers through
and track and field. In November 2009, Klinkhammer
the teacher preparation program.
was inducted into the Southern Connecticut Diamond
Before joining Southern as an
Club Hall of Fame. He is an active environmental ecolo-
adjunct professor, she worked as a
school exercise science technician.
26 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Marybeth Heyward
Fede
gist and marine wildlife first responder and rehabilitator.
• Newly elected board member
In 1948, Southern — then known
6th Yr. ’99, has worked as a
as New Haven State Teachers
teacher, coach, and administrator in
College — began publishing a
the fields of physical education,
student art and literary publica-
health, and athletics. As an under-
Mary Fedyn Martinik
n Pleasure Reading
Mary Fedyn Martinik, ’76, M.S. ’86,
tion. More than six decades later Southern continues this
graduate, she was a member of the
tradition with Folio, an undergraduate journal, and Noctua
gymnastics and softball teams for
Review, which spotlights the work of graduate students.
four years. Education remained the
cornerstone of Martinik’s career,
Today, readers can mine Southern’s rich creative history thanks to a new online archival collection of past issues
prompting her to return to Southern to earn degrees in
of Folio. The site — found at www.southernct.edu/
health education and educational leadership.
folioarchive/ — is an ambitious work-in-progress created by
English Professor Vivian Shipley. Complete issues from 1996-
• Board member Robert D. Parker,
2009 are included, with issues from 1948-1995 ultimately
’76, is the director of communica-
slated to be added. In the meantime, Shipley has created a
tions for ACES (Area Cooperative
history for each year, including an overview of subjects,
Educational Services), the regional
styles, and examples of a range of genres.
educational service center for 25
Shipley began archiving the journals in 1990, work-
school districts in South Central
ing to acquire past copies of the journal that were not
Connecticut. His career includes 30
held by the university — a process that took five years.
years as a teacher and serving as the
Thanks to her efforts a complete collection of the original
director of ACES Educational Center
Robert D. Parker
copies is found in Buley Library. A second collection —
for the Arts. He has been a board
with rare issues hand-copied and bound to prevent dam-
member and adviser to numerous arts advocacy organi-
aging the originals — is housed in the library’s reference
zations, among them the International Network of
room. Happy reading!
Schools for the Advancement of Arts Education, the
Connecticut Alliance for Arts Education, the Connecticut
Commission on the Arts, and the International Festival
Congratulations to the Class of 1959, which held its 50th reunion
on Oct. 15 at The Woodwinds in Branford, Conn.
of Arts and Ideas.
Members of the Class of 1954 celebrated their 55th reunion in high style at
Anthony’s Ocean View on Sept. 11.
Spring 2010 | 27
Alumni
NEWS
Hoop Dreams — Times Two
Fans of women’s collegiate basketball can cheer
on two Southern graduates who have taken the lead for
prominent university teams.
Joan Bonvicini, ’75, was named head coach at
Seattle University where she is leading the team in its first
full season in Division I. Formerly with the coaching staffs
at the University of Arizona and Long Beach State, Bonvicini
PHOTO: Eric Badeau
has one of the
most successful
Cathy Inglese, ’80
coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of
coaching records
Rhode Island. Previously, Inglese was head coach at Boston
in women’s colle-
College from 1993-2008, during which time she guided the
giate basketball
Eagles to three trips to the NCAA Sweet 16. Inglese also
history: She came
was head coach at the University of Vermont for seven sea-
to Seattle ranked
sons and served on several USA Basketball coaching staffs,
26th on the NCAA
most recently as assistant coach with the gold-medal-win-
all-time wins list
ning World University Games team in the summer of 2005.
While attending Southern, Inglese was named the
for women’s college basketball at
outstanding female athlete in her senior year, having been
all levels. In
a stellar player in both basketball and softball.
Both coaches have been inducted into Southern’s
February 2007, she
became the 18th
Athletics Hall of Fame.
coach in NCAA
Joan Bonvicini, ’75
Division I
n
A star college player, Bonvicini helped the Owls
earn third- and fourth-place finishes in the Association for
Intercollegiate Athletics for Women championships. She
was a finalist for the 1976 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team.
On the East Coast, fellow coaching standout Cathy
Inglese, ’80, is completing her first full season as head
From buildings lauded for eco-friendly design
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Become a fan of Southern on Facebook at www.facebook.com. A wide variety of pages are available,
including those specifically devoted to alumni, the university, the John Lyman Center
for the Performing Arts, and
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http://twitter.com/scsutweet.
The free service provides a way to communicate
through the exchange of brief, frequent messages.
+
Join LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com for professional
networking opportunities. Go to the “Official Southern
Connecticut State University” site.
+
The Alumni Relations Office can also be reached at
(203) 392-6500; www.SouthernCT.edu/alumni/; or
SCSU, Attn: Alumni Relations, 501 Crescent Street,
New Haven, CT 06515.
to a reinvigorated, campus-wide
recycling program, the university is
committed to keeping it green.
That’s why Southern is a proud signatory
of the American College & University
Presidents Climate Commitment.
Please support Southern and its students by contributing to the Campus
Greening Fund. Donations may be made online
at www.giving.southernct.edu. Or call (203) 392-6515.
28 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Stay in Touch!
Connect with all things Southern — from news on the
latest campus developments to information on
upcoming alumni events. The university offers numerous ways to stay up-to-date.
women’s basketball history to reach the 600-win mark.
An invitation to Southern Educators!
Join us on April 10, 2010 for
A special day-long, campus-wide event
for Southern alumni.
Highlights include:
Alumni College Seminars — including some that meet guidelines
for .1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credits per seminar.
Fun-filled children’s activities and a snack/movie party
The President’s Reception
Meet the Southern authors showcase
The Amazing Race scavenger hunt
And much more.
For more information and tickets,
call Alumni Relations at (203) 392-6500
or online at www.SouthernCT.edu/alumni/.
RSVP by April 2, 2010
Spring 2010 | 29
alumni notes
’50s
JOHN L. CARUSONE, ’57, M.S.
’62, was inducted into the
Southern Connecticut
Diamond Club Hall of Fame.
Carusone also was inducted
into the Connecticut ASA
(Amateur Softball
Association) Slo-Pitch Hall of
Fame in 2004 and, in 2008,
received the Gold Bat Award
from the West Haven Twilight
League. An athletics field in
Hamden, Conn., was named
in his honor in 2007.
’60s
LAWRENCE D. MCHUGH, ’62,
has been appointed chairman
of the Board of Trustees for
the University of Connecticut
by Governor M. Jodi Rell.
McHugh, president of the
Middlesex Chamber of
Commerce, previously was
chairman of the Board of
Trustees for the Connecticut
State University System. He
has been succeeded by Karl J.
Krapek.
FRANCIS GAGLIARDI, ’63, has
retired as associate director
of Burritt Library at Central
Connecticut State University
after 45 years.
VINCENT VIRGULTO, ’63, was
inducted into the Southern
Connecticut Diamond Club
Hall of Fame in 2009.
DAVID F. MILLS, ’64, M.S. ’69,
a former Bristol Eastern High
School football coach, was
elected to a City Council seat
on the Republican ticket.
JON PURMONT, M.S. ’64, professor of history at Southern,
has retired.
LAWRENCE P. CLINTON, ’66,
was honored by the American
Psychiatric Association as a
distinguished fellow in 2005
and 2009 for his contributions to the field. In 2008
Clinton was honored as one
of America’s top psychiatrists
for his work with children.
Clinton, who is a medical
doctor, has an active practice
in Vineland, N.J.
30 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Reunion News
MICHAEL ROSHKA, ’73, M.S.
• School of Education alumni from all graduating
classes are invited to attend a Celebration of the School of
Education on April 10, 2010. Highlights of the event, which
will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., include Alumni
College Seminars (among them, programs for children),
campus tours, a Meet the Southern Authors spotlight, and
the President’s Reception.
• The Class of 1960 will be honored at undergraduate
commencement on May 28 in recognition of its 50th
reunion.
For more information on these events or if you would like to organize a reunion for your class, please
contact Alumni Relations at (203) 392-6500.
ELIZABETH FOYE, M.S. ’67, professor of elementary education
at Southern, has retired.
BARBARA SHILLER, ’67, 6th
Yr. ’78, professor of special
education at Southern, has
retired.
MARYANNE ULLMANN, ’68,
M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’86, associate
professor of special education
at Southern, has retired.
ED ASTON, ’69, M.S. ’73, head
swimming coach at Cheshire
High School and Farms
Country Club, was a recipient
of the Elm City Legend
Award, as reported in the
Cheshire Herald.
PETER BOPPERT, ’69, director of
the Learning Resource Center
at Southern, has retired.
JOHN S. PIUREK, ’69, M.S. ’74,
6th Yr. ’91, and wife, DENISE
PIUREK, ’71, celebrated
their 40th wedding anniversary this year.
’70s
PATRICIA RUKOWICZ, ’70,
M.S. ’73, 6th Yr. ’74, M.S. ’03,
associate professor of school
health education, has retired.
JEAN CHAPMAN SNIDER, ’70,
retired from the Virginia Beach
School System in 1998 and
received the North Carolina
Governor’s Award for volunteerism in 1999 and 2009.
PATSY LEMLEY KAMERICA,
’71, M.S. ’75, was inducted
into the HaddamKillingworth High School
Hall of Fame.
BARBARA BELLINGER, M.S.
’72, is a consultant at Learning
Dynamics, a national training
and development company
based in Wallingford, Conn.
MICHAEL G. MARTIN, M.S.
LAURA V. FREUND, ’72, a spe-
’71, 6th Yr. ’75, professor of
counseling and school psychology at Southern, has
retired.
cial education teacher in
Torrington Public Schools,
ran for a third term as North
Canaan’s representative to the
School Board in Region 1.
JANIS PANAGROSSI, ’71, M.S.
’78, the office assistant for the
bookstore at Southern, has
retired.
DAVID W. MARTENS, ’72,
M.A. ’74, 6th Yr. ’80, professor
of exercise science at
Southern, has retired.
’79, has retired from the position of director of conference
services and special events at
Southern.
DOLORES ENNICO, ’74, M.S.
’77, has been elected as an
officer for Olin Corporation, a
diversified manufacturing
company headquartered in
St. Louis, Mo. Ennico will
have overall responsibility for
all human resource activities
throughout the corporation.
She lives in Fairfield, Conn.
THOMAS HANFORD, ’74, M.S.
’79, performed at the
Litchfield Historical Society’s
22nd annual Children’s
Summer Series. Hanford, a
resident of Goshen, Conn., is
a musician and storyteller.
BARBARA D. LYNCH, M.S. ’74,
6th Yr. ’75, professor of marriage and family therapy at
Southern, has retired.
CYNTHIA TWISS, ’74, M.S. ’81,
6th Yr. ’97, has been named
director of special education
and student services by the
Madison Board of Education
after a 28-year career with
the Trumbull Public School
System in Conn.
LEONARD YANNIELLI, M.S.
’74, M.S. ’89, was presented
with the National Association
Support Southern. Leave a Legacy.
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long-term financial goals, while providing critically needed support for Southern’s
talented and deserving students.
The university’s Development Office can supply information on a variety of
planned gifts that help Southern maintain a climate of excellence — from bequests
that extend your generosity beyond your lifetime to charitable gift annuities and
trusts, which can provide fixed-income payments and several tax benefits.
If you’ve already included the Southern Connecticut State University
Foundation in your will, please let us know so that we can acknowledge your
generosity by enrolling you in the Heritage Society.
If not, please consider leaving a legacy by making a planned gift to the
Southern Connecticut State University Foundation. For more information, contact the
Development Office.
(203) 392-5598 • www.SouthernCT.edu/supportsouthern
Southern Connecticut State University
501 Crescent Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1355
Olympic Recognition for Southern Coach
Former Southern men’s gymnastics coach
ual NCAA champions, 126 All-Americans, and four
Nissen Award winners. Upon his retirement he received
Abraham “Abie” Grossfeld was inducted into the U.S.
the honorary title of professor emeritus of intercolle-
Olympic Hall of Fame this fall — an
giate athletics.
honor that places him in the compa-
A nationally recognized athlete in his own right,
ny of some of the country’s most cel-
Grossfeld competed in two Olympic Games (1956,
ebrated athletes. Grossfeld was the
1960), two World Championships (1958, 1962), and
head coach of the 1984 U.S. Olympic
three Pan American Games — the latter of which result-
Men’s Gymnastics Team that earned
ed in three team gold medals for the U.S.
eight medals, including
the U.S. men’s only
Olympic team gold. He
also was the personal
’78, who captured a
bronze medal on floor
exercise at the 1976
At Southern,
coach from 1963-2003
’82, is a senior assistant
state’s attorney. She joined the
Housing Div. in 2005 after
serving 11 years in New
Haven Superior Court.
coach of the year three
times during his tenure.
He led the Owls to three
BARBARA SCHADE, ’82,
NCAA championships,
and coached 29 individ-
JAMES L. WILLIAMS, M.A.
’75, M.S. ’77, 6th Yr. ’82, has
retired from the position of
interim director of admissions at Southern.
ALI ZAMOURI, M.S. ’75, has
retired from the position of
is the principal of
Immaculate High School in
Danbury, Conn. Murphy and
his wife, Cathy, were members of Immaculate’s first
graduating class in 1966.
ROBYN STEWART JOHNSON,
and was named national
retired from the position of
head coach of men’s basketball at Southern.
DANIEL MURPHY, 6th Yr. ’80,
named Mentor of the Year by
the Branford Community Youth
Mentoring Program. Hottin is
the owner of M&H Advisors,
LLC, in New Haven, Conn.
Grossfeld served as
ARTHUR J. LEARY, ’75, has
associate dean of the School
of Graduate Studies at
Southern, has retired.
GLEN HOTTIN, ’82, has been
Olympic Games.
’76, has retired from the position of director of counseling
services at Southern.
ROSEANN DIANA, M.S. ’80,
is one of four Prospect, Conn.,
residents appointed by the
Town Council to sit on the
Board of Education for Region
16. Hiscox is a biology teacher
at Newington High School.
alumnus Peter Kormann,
DAVID J. DENINO, ’75, M.S.
’80s
ROBERT A. HISCOX, 6th Yr. ’81,
coach of Southern’s
of Biology Teachers 2009
Evolution Education Award.
Yannielli is a professor at
Naugatuck Valley Community
College in Waterbury, Conn.
High School in Conn. He was
formerly principal at
Thomaston High School.
assistant librarian at Southern.
FRANCES L. KENDALL, ’76,
was promoted to the rank of
full professor at Salisbury
University in Salisbury, Md.,
and teaches television and
documentary production in
the Department of
Communication Arts.
STEWART BYRON, ’78, a
Madison, Conn., resident, had
his sculptures and woodburning artwork displayed by
the Clinton Art Society at the
Liberty Bank in Clinton,
Conn. Byron also has displayed his work at the P. T.
Barnum Museum and the
Lockwood Mathews
Museum, both in Conn.
EDWARD J. HOYER, JR.,
M.L.S. ’78, M.S. ’81, has
retired from the position of
associate librarian at
Southern.
COLLEEN KREHEL SEADALE,
’78, is a licensed family therapist in private practice in
Edgartown, Mass., on
Martha’s Vineyard.
SANDRA L. DENNIES, M.S. ’79,
was named chief financial officer for the city of Wilton, Conn.
Previously, Dennies served as
director of administration and
chief financial officer for the
city of Stamford, Conn.
BERNADETTE FLYNN, ’79, was
selected 2009 Coach of the
Year for Outstanding
Achievement in Women’s
Sports by the Fairfax County
Women’s Sports Award
Committee and The Women’s
Sports Foundation. Flynn
lives in Springfield, Va.
PATRICIA RUTKOWSKI, M.S.
’79, has been promoted to the
position of library director at
the New Britain Library.
Rutkowski has been employed
by the library for 40 years and
is the first library employee
since 1967 to be promoted to
the director position.
JOYCE SALTMAN, M.S. ’79, 6th
Yr. ’81, professor of special
education at Southern, has
retired.
JAMES F. WENKER, ’79, was
named principal at Newington
founded a new education
center named The Claus
Academy in Norwalk, Conn.
The center provides tutoring,
mentoring, and coaching to
young adults in reading, writing, and mathematics.
PAMELA BRUCKER, ’83, M.S.
’87, 6th Yr. ’91, professor of
special education at
Southern, has retired.
JUDITH BUZZELL, 6th Yr. ’83,
professor of education at
Southern, has retired.
JIM KALACH, ’83, has been
promoted to director of executive communications at the
Hartford Financial Services
Group in Hartford, Conn.
STUYVESANT MARTIN REID,
SR., ’83, is an operations analyst with the state of Georgia
Department of Corrections.
He lives in Lithia Spring, Ga.
Spring 2010 | 31
GREGORY P. DESTEFANO, ’84, Foundation Board Member Honored
principal of Konowitz, Kahn
and Company, was elected to
the Valley United Way Board
of Directors.
John Soto, a prominent businessman, philanthropist, and
member of the SCSU Foundation Board of Directors, is
the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the
NICK ECONOMOPOULOS, 6th
State of Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs
Yr. ’84, a former teacher at
Lyman Hall High School and
former member of the Board
of Education, has been elected as one of the town councilors of Wallingford, Conn.
Commission (LPRAC). The award was presented on
October 24 at a gala awards ceremony in Hartford, Conn.
Soto, who as a young man emigrated to the U.S.
from Puerto Rico, is the founder and president of Space-
PAUL BEST, M.S. ’85, 6th Yr.
Craft Manufacturing, a leading manufacturer of turbine
’87, professor of political science at Southern, has retired.
JUDITH BONACCI DRENZEK,
M.S. ’85, 6th Yr. ’95, was
appointed preschool supervisor in the West Haven School
District in Conn.
GRETA GETLEIN, ’86, has
earned a Master of Divinity
from Yale Divinity School and
was ordained in June 2009.
engine parts and structural airframe components. Based
in New Haven, Conn., the company serves a who’s who of clients, including Pratt &
Whitney Aircraft, Sikorsky Aircraft, Volvo Aero, and the United States Air Force and Navy.
Soto, who was unable to attend college due to financial reasons, is committed
to providing educational opportunity to others. At Southern, he and his wife, Gladys,
established the John Soto Endowed Scholarship Fund and have provided numerous
other contributions in support of the university.
ROBERT L. PARKER, ’86, a former newspaper columnist
and radio host, has joined
WDIV TV in Detroit, Mich.
Parker will write several
columns each week exclusively for ClickOnDetroit.com, in
addition to contributing podcasts and blogs. Parker also
will continue his weekly
appearances on Sports Final
Edition.
KERRY CARDINAL, ’87, activities director at Ridgefield
Crossing senior living community, has received the
Outstanding Resident
Services Award from the
Connecticut Assisted Living
Association.
ANN CURLEY, M.S. ’87, was
honored as Teacher of the
Year at the Washington School
in Manchester, Conn. Curley, a
creative arts teacher, has been
teaching for 11 years.
GREGORY DANDIO, ’88, was a
candidate for the Wolcott
Board of Education, as stated
in the Sunday Republican
32 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
newspaper. Dandio is chief
technology officer at Area
Cooperative Education
Services in North Haven, Conn.
’90s
DONALD M. CASEY, M.S. ’90,
an assistant director at Camp
Teepee for 30 years, received
the Staff Excellence Award
from the Lakewood Trumbull
YMCA in Conn. Casey is an
educator at Stepney
Elementary School in Monroe,
Conn. Recently students there
were honored by President
Barack Obama and First Lady
Michelle Obama for their participation in the Read Across
America initiative.
FREDERICK M. LYNN, M.S.
’90, has been selected executive director of Immaculate
Conception Shelter and
Housing Corporation. Lynn
has nearly 25 years of nonprofit management experience, primarily working in
the anti-poverty arena with
community action agencies.
LEIF MADSEN, M.L.S. ’90,
joined the staff of the Denver
School of Nursing in 2009 as
the Learning Resource Center
manager. Madsen created a
virtual library service for the
school and is working to help
the school get national
accreditation.
JOHN “JACK” DEMMONS, ’91,
was inducted into the Sheehan
High School Hall of Fame.
Demmons earned five varsity
letters, two in basketball and
three in baseball, and was cocaptain of the high school’s
1976 baseball team.
SHERYL SERVISS, ’91, is pursuing her interest in the field of
forensic facial reconstruction.
Serviss recently went to
Oklahoma University to study
with an experienced facial
reconstruction artist. She has
also studied sculpture at the
Lyme Academy of Fine Arts.
PAUL S. FREEMAN, M.S. ’93,
6th Yr. ’96, the former assistant superintendent in East
Lyme, Conn., has been
appointed superintendent of
schools in Griswold, Conn.
W. KURT MILLER, ’93, ran for
reelection in the Seymour,
Conn., race for the Board of
Selectmen. Miller is an
account relationship manager
at CUNA Mutual Group and
an employee at family-owned
Miller Ward Funeral Home.
ROBERT T. CORK, ’94, is the
director of communication
MICHAEL HOLINSTAT, ’95,
M.S. ’99, has accepted a faculty position at Thomas
Jefferson University and is
now an assistant professor in
the Department of Medicine,
Division of Hematology.
Holinstat was also one of a
limited pool of researchers to
receive a Pathway to
Independence Award grant
from the National Institutes
of Health.
CYNTHIA RITCHIE, ’95, M.A.
’96, 6th Yr. ’00, has been
appointed principal of Salem
Elementary School. Ritchie
was formerly a language arts
building specialist in Old
Saybrook, Conn.
SALVATORE ZARRA, M.S. ’96,
GLORIA GUBITOSI, 6th Yr. ’86,
was a candidate for a position
on the school board in
Wolcott, Conn. Gubitosi’s
experience includes two years
on the Republican Town
Committee and one term on
the Board of Education.
University, has been elected a
trustee of the Connecticut
Career Counseling and
Development Association.
for the Challenger Center for
Space Science Education in
Alexandria, Va. This nonprofit organization was
founded in 1986 by the families of the astronauts lost in
the Challenger 51-L mission.
LUIS MOYANO, ’94, has been
named assistant director of
admissions for Quinnipiac
University Online, which provides support for all online
programs and courses offered
by the university.
JEROME MUGAVERGO, ’94, has
been the technical director of
the YES Network (Yankees
Entertainment and Sports
Network) since its inception
in 2002.
ERIC PARADIS, ’94, was a candidate for the Newtown
Board of Education in the
2009 election. Paradis is an
educator at Trumbull High
School and is a credentialed
school social work.
KERRI SAUER, ’94, a nursing
supervisor, leads a nurse
practitioner program at the
Westview Health Care Center
in Dayville, Conn.
CYNTHIA CHRISTIE, M.S. ’95,
assistant dean for career
services in the School of
Health Sciences at Quinnipiac
6th Yr. ’99, was selected
Teacher of the Year for the
Branford School System.
Zarra is a mathematics
teacher at Branford High
School in Conn.
JANE CIARLONE, M.S. ’97,
coordinator in the Office of
Study Skills Enrichment at
Southern, has retired.
TRACY JOHNSTON, M.S. ’97,
has been named director of
pupil services by the Chester,
Deep River, Essex, and
Region 4 Boards of
Education.
TAMMY JOSKA, ’97, M.S. ’99,
who is completing post-doctoral work at Dartmouth
College, designed an inhibitor
of Anthrax Dihydrofolate
Reductase. She hopes to
become a professor and to
work in a pharmaceutical
company.
MICHAEL J. HANLON, ’98, has
been appointed by the
Connecticut Society of
Certified Public Accountants
to serve as a member of its
Advisory Council for 20092010. Hanlon is a manager for
Blum Shapiro in Shelton, Conn.
SARA NEMEROV, ’98, joined
the Warner Music Group as
senior vice president of consumer products and brand
licensing for Rhino
Entertainment and Frank
Sinatra Enterprises.
MIKE TRACY, ’98, is the new
head football coach at Branford
High School and the physical
education and health teacher at
the Connecticut school.
WILLIAM EGAN, 6th Yr. ’99, is
the new principal of Wamogo
Regional High School in
Litchfield, Conn. Formerly,
Egan was the assistant principal of Brookfield High School
for three years.
GENE HOLMES, M.S. ’99, is the
tell us about it
principal of Saint Mark
School in Stratford, Conn.,
which was named a 2009
Blue Ribbon School by the
U.S. Department of
Education. Only 314 elementary schools in the United
States received the honor.
’00s
THEODORE P. OCZKOWSKI,
M.S. ’02, was a candidate for
the Oxford Board of Education
in the Nov. 2009 elections.
Oczkowski is the director of
athletics at New Milford High
School in Conn., and the former department chairman of
physical education at Trumbull
High School in Conn.
VINCENT J. (V.J.) SARULLO,
’02, has been named the new
athletics director at Mark T.
Sheehan High School in
Wallingford, Conn. Sarullo
will teach world history in
the Social Studies
Department.
DANIEL DEL PRETE, ’03, and
his wife, Sarah Beth Luce-Del
Prete, live in New Haven,
Conn., with their son, Daniel
Anthony.
COLEEN FLAHERTYMERRITT, ’03, M.S. ’06, was
one of nine candidates running for three seats on the
Board of Education in
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Waterbury, Conn. FlahertyMerritt is an educator at
Pomperaug High School in
Southbury, Conn.
STEVE HALEY, M.S. ’04, a
licensed social worker, has
opened the Haley Counseling
Center in Hebron, Conn.
DAGMAR RATENSPERGER,
’04, is the proprietor of
Dagmar’s Desserts and Café
in Old Saybrook, Conn., an
authentic Bavarian/Austrianstyle bakery.
PATRICE KOPAS, M.S. ’05, has
joined Greenwich Catholic
School, having previously
worked at All Saints School in
Norwalk, Conn., where she
taught algebra, mathematics,
literature, composition, and
religion. Kopas has also been
elected to the Town of Weston
Board of Finance.
KELLY MCCOLLOUGH, ’05,
was named patient service
manager of a 29-bed general
medicine unit at Yale-New
Haven Hospital.
EMILY PIFFERI, M.S. ’05, 6th
Yr. ’07, is the new school psychologist at EmersonWilliams Elementary School
in Wethersfield, Conn.
MEGHAN MARTINS, 6th Yr.
’06, is the associate principal
for instruction at Danbury
High School in Conn.
ANN LEVIS WHITE, ’06, M.S.
’09, was featured in the
Southbury, Conn., newspaper,
VOICES, as being one of three
members of the same family
to earn graduate degrees in
the spring. Her husband graduated from the Yale School of
Nursing with a master’s
degree and his sister graduated with a doctorate from
Johnson & Wales University.
GARY HOLDER-WINFIELD,
’07, a member of the
Connecticut House of
Representatives, received the
Champion of Liberty Award
from the Connecticut Criminal
Defense Lawyers Association
for his work to abolish the
death penalty in the state.
MELISSA KUROWSKI, ’08, is
attending Western New
England School of Law.
CONNIE DICKERSON, M.L.S.
’09, is a freelance writer and
editor, as reported in the
Weston Forum newspaper.
MAUREEN FARRELL, M.P.H.
’09, has been appointed to the
newly created position of
director of member wellness
for the Regional YMCA of
Western Connecticut. Farrell
is a member of the Coalition
for Healthy Kids and volunteered as a health adviser for
Brookfield Public Schools
and the Brookfield Health
Department.
JAMES LOUGHEAD, M.S. ’09, a
teacher at Edwin O. Smith
High School in Storrs, Conn.,
was awarded the John H.
Stedman Passion for the
Social Studies Teaching Award
from the Connecticut Council
for the Social Studies.
SARAH MARLAK, ’09, a
teacher at the Generali School
of Literature and the Arts in
Middlebury, Conn., ran for a
position on the Board of
Education.
STEPHANIE LYNN NARUS,
’09, is employed by Yale-New
Haven Hospital as a registered nurse in the Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit.
MICHELLE ST. PETER, ’09, has
joined Dworken, Hillman,
LaMorte and Sterczala, PC, as
a staff accountant.
NICHOLAS VALLI, ’09, of
Monroe, Conn., has joined
the firm of Dworken,
Hillman, LaMorte and
Sterczala, PC, as a staff
accountant.
Marriages
LISA GREEN, ’86, M.S. ’95, and
Michael Durocher, June 27,
2009.
MICHELE MORCK, ’01, and
Jack Ross, Sept. 27, 2009.
KRISTEN MARIE RUBINO,
’02, M.S. ’06, and Joshua
Yahwak, Oct. 4, 2009.
AMY KEIGH KRESS, ’05, and
Brien Chegwidden Jones,
June 20, 2009.
JIAN LIAN CHAN, ’06, and
Christine Angela Smith, July
26, 2009.
Spring 2010 | 33
MICHELLE FUSCO, ’06, and
Founder of Southern’s Journalism Program Dies
Scott Boulanger, June 6, 2009.
ERIN SHANA MCCOOL, ’06,
M.S. ’09, and CHRISTOPHER
J. BONINI, ’05, July 25, 2009.
GINA NICOLETT, ’06, and
Stephen Galullo, Jan. 5, 2009.
BENJAMIN BELANCIK, ’07,
and Laura Hale, April 11,
2009.
JENNIFER BOUSQUET, 6th Yr.
’07, and Matthew Weeks, Aug.
9, 2008.
AMANDA LYNN BARRA, ’09,
Professor Emeritus Robin Marshall Glassman, an accomplished journalist who founded Southern’s journalism department in
the late 1970s, passed away on August 18, at the age of 83. During
her 50-year career, Glassman was a reporter and editor for numerous
newspapers, including the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Lake
City (Florida) Gazette, the New Haven Register, and Fair Press, and
served as a reporter for United Press International. She also worked
on special assignments with Life magazine and was published in
Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, Connecticut, Fairfield County, and many
other magazines.
and Mark Colangelo, July 10,
2009.
AMANDA STEINNECKER, 6th
Yr. ’09, and Jared Kosky, July
31, 2009.
Births/
Adoptions
NICOLE ADCOCK BOGER, ’98,
and her husband, James A.
Boger, announce the birth of
their second son, Zachary
James, born June 9, 2009.
IN MEMORIAM
ELVIRA BOVE CAVALIERE, ’38.
VIRGINIA SHELTON
(HUBBELL) TUCKER, ’38,
Shelton, Conn., Oct. 27, 2009.
BEATRICE D. CASTAGNETTI
SABIA, ’43, Stamford, Conn.,
June 19, 2009.
MARIAN STEIN, ’43, Hamden,
Conn., Aug. 26, 2009.
ENID WHARTON CLAY, ’46,
M.S. ’72, Milford, Conn., July
10, 2009.
JEAN O. FOSTER, ’47, Santa
Barbara, Calif., May 1, 2009.
SARA MORRIS PIERPONT,
’48, M.S. ’73, Dec. 13, 2008.
SALVATORE C. POLIO, ’50,
M.S. ’53, Hamden, Conn., July
5, 2009.
SALVATORE GIANNONE, ’52,
Ansonia, Conn., Oct. 29, 2009.
ESILDA B. PEPPER, ’54,
Milford, Conn., July 29, 2009.
MARSHA L. PERLMUTTER,
’55, New Haven, Conn., Feb.
22, 2008.
RICHARD A. CASSIEY, ’59.
34 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Glassman, who taught at Southern from 1968 to 1995, was
equally distinguished as a professor of journalism. In 1989 the
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) selected her from among
journalism professors across the nation for their “Distinguished
Teacher of Journalism” award. She was active in SPJ for more than
25 years and was the first woman president of the organization’s
Connecticut chapter, which named its Lifetime Achievement Award in
her honor.
Furthering Glassman’s long-demonstrated commitment to Southern and her students, a scholarship is
being established in her memory. Donations may be sent to the SCSU Foundation, 501 Crescent Street, New Haven,
CT 06515. Please make out checks to the SCSU Foundation and note “Robin M. Glassman Scholarship” in the
memo section.
EVELYN LORENZ
O’SULLIVAN, ’59.
RONALD T. PARENTE, ’59.
ROBERT H. PELLETIER, ’59,
M.S. ’69.
RICHARD W. WHITNEY, ’59,
Oct. 2007.
RICHARD T. WILLIAMS, ’59,
Feb. 3, 2009.
FLORENCE THOMAS, ’61,
Branford, Conn., June 16, 2009.
THOMAS J. PETRUNY, ’69,
M.S. ’76, 6th Yr. ’79, New
Haven, Conn., July 5, 2009.
WALTER DANKOWSKI, ’70,
New Haven, Conn., June 30,
2009.
JOHN B. HARTY, ’71, 6th Yr.
’76, North Franklin, Conn.,
July 31, 2009.
SHARON LEE PASCALE
WILSON, ’71, M.S. ’92,
Cheshire, Conn., Aug. 8, 2009.
BARBARA JEAN CHARLEY,
WILLIAM T. MCCANN, ’76,
’72, M.S. ’79, East Hartford,
Conn., Sept. 30, 2009.
South Glastonbury, Conn.,
Sept. 17, 2009.
GERTRUDE “SUE” WHALEN,
JEAN H. NEWELL, ’76, M.S.
’72, M.L.S. ’78, Southington,
Conn., June 26, 2009.
’80, Damariscotta, Maine,
May 16, 2009.
RICHARD BOORJIAN, M.S. ’73, MARY L. (PHILBIN)
PURSELL, M.S. ’76, New
Canton, Conn., June 6, 2009.
DAWN CROSS FERLAND, ’73,
Woodstock Valley, Conn., July
14, 2009.
Haven, Conn., Sept. 3, 2009.
MICHAEL SCOTT HARE, M.S.
WILLIAM PUKAS, ’74, M.S.
’83, 6th Yr. ’92, Waterford,
Conn., Oct. 26, 2009.
BLANCHE GILBERT
NEWTON, M.S. ’75, North
Granby, Conn., June 14, 2009.
’82, Guilford, Conn., July 23,
2009.
ANNE COLEMAN EYES, M.L.S.
’83, Westport, Conn., Aug. 20,
2009.
MARY KINTZLER, M.S. ’84,
Essex, Conn., Aug. 30, 2009.
LISA MESSNER, ’84, West
Haven, Conn., June 18, 2009.
’77, Manchester, Conn., July 6,
2009.
CHRISTIAN G. O’CONNOR,
Fairfield, Conn., July 12, 2009.
’92, New Haven, Conn., July
16, 2009.
CHRISTOPHER GEORGE
MACHNICH, ’74, Glastonbury, ANDREW C. NELSON, ’78,
Conn., July 20, 2009.
ANDREA TROUT HERGET,
DANIEL M. CAREY, ’80, M.S.
’82, Hartford, Conn., Sept. 11,
2009.
AUDREY DICKINSON
LEMOINE, ’81,Hamden,
Conn.,July 15, 2009.
MARION MURPHY, ’98,
Wolcott, Conn., July 5, 2009.
JOHN J. ROMANO, JR.,
Professor Emeritus at
Southern, Cheshire, Conn.,
July 12, 2009.
KRISTINE DOHM ARPAIA,’76,
Branford, Conn., Sept. 11, 2009.
BARRY E. DRISCOLL, M.S. ’76,
Barre Town, Vt., June 29, 2009.
Class notes are compiled from submissions from alumni, as well as
announcements made in newspapers and magazines.
Next Stop: Med School
continued from page 19
advice, take challenging courses, and do
Nationwide, there were 558,053
his doubts evaporated when the semester
not take the easy way out,” says Jiong Dong
applications to U.S. medical schools in
began. He quickly realized he’d have no
Pang, associate professor of chemistry and
2008 from a total of 42,231 applicants,
trouble keeping up.
chairwoman of the committee.
according to AAMC statistics. Of those,
Technically, pre-med is not a major.
In fact, pre-med students may choose any
major, but must also take a cluster of science
“Southern did a very good job
18,036 students were enrolled. On average,
preparing me,” says Young, explaining he
each applicant applied to 13 schools.
chose Southern because it was affordable
Successful students fit a similar
and close to home. “It’s kind of nice to
courses, including at least eight credits each
profile, says Pang. Typically they have at
know that maybe you didn’t come from an
in biology and physics and 16 credits in
least a 3.7 overall grade point average and a
Ivy League school, but you still have the
chemistry. In addition, the committee urges
3.8 grade point average in the sciences.
same quality education.”
students to take advanced science courses —
They’re analytical thinkers with strong
anatomy, physiology, microbiology, genetics,
backgrounds in the sciences and liberal
say the program’s small size has its advan-
and biochemistry, to name a few — as well
arts. Usually, they’ve volunteered in a hospi-
tages. For one, it’s easy to get one-on-one
as calculus. Aina says she couldn’t have come
tal or doctor’s office and are leaders in cam-
time with professors. Students interested in
this far without the committee’s guidance.
pus clubs and community organizations.
research are often able to work alongside
Graduates and current participants
In addition to Pang, the committee
Aina, for example, served as a resi-
includes Biology Department faculty mem-
dent advisor in her dorm and helped char-
ty “really cares about you instead of just
bers Jane Feng and Jonathan Weinbaum;
ter a chapter of the Golden Key
trying to push you through,” Young says.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry Adiel
International Honor Society. She also vol-
Coca; and Professors of Physics Christine
unteered in the emergency room at the
good that you get to know all of the profes-
Broadbridge and Karen Cummings.
Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven,
sors on a name basis,” adds Byron Peck-
Conn., and worked as a laboratory assistant
Collier, ’10, who wants to be an orthopedic
doctors with everything from course selec-
at Cadbury-Schwepps in Trumbull, Conn.,
surgeon and is eyeing Northwestern
tion to studying for the Medical College
before attending medical school at the
University or the University of Chicago for
Admission Test (MCAT). Interested stu-
University of Connecticut.
medical school.
The committee helps would-be
dents are encouraged to register with the
Beckmann, an Air Force captain
professors in their field of study. The facul-
“It’s a close-knit faculty. It’s really
In the meantime, he says Southern
committee as soon as possible, preferably
doing an internal medicine residency in
offers great opportunities for hands-on
freshman year. In spring of their junior
San Antonio, Texas, was a gymnast and vol-
experience, such as the Emergency Medical
year, potential medical school applicants
unteered at Ronald McDonald House and
Technician course offered on campus. The
must submit to an intensive evaluation and
Yale-New Haven Hospital. After college, she
university also has a partnership with the
interview. Most U.S. medical schools typi-
interned for a year at leading consumer-
Research Associate Program at St. Vincent’s
cally require a letter of recommendation
goods manufacturer Unilever, before
Medical Center in Bridgeport, Conn., where
from the committee.
attending Creighton University School of
students can gain clinical experience in the
Medicine in Omaha, Neb.
emergency department.
According to Pang, 80 percent of
Southern applicants with strong committee
Young spent more than five years
“You need to make sure that you
recommendations have gained acceptance
in the Navy and completed a six-month
were adequately challenged as an under-
into U.S. medical, dental, and veterinary
stint in Iraq as a medic in the Marine
graduate, otherwise you will fail out of
schools. This includes both undergraduates
Corps. before enrolling at Southern. While
medical school very quickly,” says Aina. “At
and post-baccalaureate students who come
on campus, he founded the Pre-Health
Southern, they make a point of encourag-
to Southern to take science courses needed
Society, a professional organization for stu-
ing you to take those more rigorous cours-
for medical school entry.
dents interested in medical careers.
es. It ensures that we get in and we stay in.”
“You can come to Southern and
Young admits to being intimidated
Her advice to other future doctors
you can be a doctor,” Pang adds. “It’s a long
when he first learned his roommates at
at Southern: “Seek out the faculty mentors
journey and a hard-working one, but we
Dartmouth had done their undergraduate
from the very first day you walk onto cam-
can prepare you.”
work at Yale and New York University. But
pus. That was a key for me.” n
Spring 2010 | 35
Christian Finnegan
with Shane Mauss
Education and Nursing
Career Fair
April 12 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
April 29 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Michael J. Adanti Student Center
(Grand Ballroom)
Michael J. Adanti Student Center
Explore career opportunities in the
education and nursing fields.
Showcased on Comedy Central, VH1,
and MSNBC, Finnegan brings his fresh
take on comedy to the Lyman Center.
Mauss, winner of the Best Stand Up
Comic at the HBO 2007 US Comedy
Arts Festival, brings more laughs.
$10 for general admission. Free for Southern students,
faculty, and staff. (203) 392-6154
A Celebration of the
School of Education
April 10 9:30 a.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Throughout campus
Bring the entire family! Enjoy Alumni
College seminars on a wide range of
topics, children’s events, the President’s
Reception, the Amazing Race scavenger
hunt, and more.
For more information, call (203) 392-6500.
Euge Groove and
Jeff Golub
April 10 8 p.m.
Honoring Southern’s scholarship donors
and the talented students who benefit
from their generosity.
For more information, call (203) 392-6536.
For more information, call (203) 392-6500.
General Career Fair
Brian Regan
with Special Guest
April 13 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
March 16 7:30 p.m.
Scholarship
Celebration Tea
Michael J. Adanti Student Center
(Grand Ballroom)
EVENTS
Southern
April 30 8 p.m.
Alumni and students are invited to meet
with close to 100 employers.
For more information, call (203) 392-6536.
19th Annual Women’s
Studies Conference
• Women & Girls of Color:
History, Heritage, Heterogeneity
• Women’s and Girls’ Fair
April 16-17
The conference will spotlight women
and girls of color — looking at their
lives and achievements throughout
history and into the 21st century.
For more information, call (203) 392- 6133.
Graduate Open House
April 22 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Michael J. Adanti Student Center
(Grand Ballroom)
Explore graduate opportunities at
Southern — one of the largest graduate
schools in New England.
(800) 448-0661; (203) 392-5240
The Gentlemen of the
Night Tour
Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor,
and Michael Lington
April 23 8 p.m.
Three jazz artists join forces for an
unforgettable night of entertainment.
$25 for active alumni and Southern faculty/staff;
$30 for general admission; and $15 for Southern
students. (203) 392-6154
Enjoy a hilarious night of comedy.
$29 for active alumni and Southern faculty/staff; $39
for general admission; and $15 for Southern students.
(203) 392-6154
Some Girls
May 4-8 8 p.m.;
May 9 2 p.m.
Kendall Drama Lab
A man travels to hotel rooms across the
country to revisit his past girlfriends in
this dark comedy presented by the
Theatre Department and Crescent
Players; Directed by Assistant Professor
of Theatre Kaia Monro.
$10 for general admission; $5 for senior citizens and
Southern students, faculty, and staff. (203) 392-6154
Business After Hours
Atlanta, Georgia • May 4 • 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the historic
Georgian Terrace Hotel. (203) 392-6500
Washington, D.C. • May 6 • 5:30 p.m. –
7:30 p.m. (203) 392-6500.
All events held in John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, unless otherwise noted. Southern students must have valid identification to receive their ticket discounts.
Discounted tickets are limited to two per person, subject to verification. For tickets and additional information and listings, visit Southern’s Web site at www.lyman.SouthernCT.edu
36 | Southern ALUMNI MAGAZINE
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The Ultimate Investment
Address Service Requested
I
n 1925, the Thrift Club, a student organization designed
In light of the economic downturn, such support
to encourage financial responsibility, established a loan
has never been needed more. Alumni and friends have
fund to help financially struggling students stay in school
responded generously, helping the SCSU Foundation
and earn their degrees at Southern — then known as the
provide a record level of scholarship and programmatic
New Haven Normal School.
support in 2009 — $961,000 compared with $652,000 the
Eighty-five years later, Southern alumni and friends
have continued the tradition of supporting students. In
the 2009-10 academic year, some 180 scholarships were
previous year — an increase of over 47 percent.
In addition to directly helping students and their
families, these gifts reap tremendous benefits to society.
awarded to talented
Consider just a few facts
and deserving men
from the nonprofit
and women.
organization Solutions for
Our Future: college
graduates volunteer more,
vote more often, and
participate more in
community and civic
organizations than people
without college degrees —
proof positive that each
and every gift that supports
Southern students truly
makes a difference.